RF-enablement of products and receptacles therefor

ABSTRACT

An RFID tag in a receptacle is active and includes a microprocessor, a data storage device operable to store a selected code (e.g. an ID code to identify said object or said product), the object including a display for displaying the aforesaid selected code upon a signal from the microprocessor and an energy storage device (e.g. a lithium ion battery), operable to energize the microprocessor, the display, and the transmitter. The tag has an antenna having a dimension thereof that is substantially as large as to a maximum dimension of receptacle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. application Ser. No.60/589,524, filed Jul. 20, 2004, which application is incorporatedherein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to identification and tracking of products,receptacles (including containers, boxes, and pallets), and otherobjects as they are transported and stored in moving through the supplychain from manufacturer to end-user. More particularly, the inventionrelates to the use of RFID tags and antennas therefor in receptacles,products, methods, and systems to achieve full visibility of productsthroughout the levels of their supply chain.

High-value products such as medical devices must often be tracked tracedand details recorded as it moves through a supply chain. In many casesthe medical device itself is temperature sensitive, and time sensitive,and may have a specific expiry date. Many of these medical devices maybe worth thousands to even tens of thousands of dollars. Therefore,security tracking and optimized inventory may be not only critical tothe business but also could provide audit trial information that may berequired by governmental authorities, such as the FDA (the United StatesFood and Drug Administration).

Many have proposed or discussed the use of radio frequency tags or whatis now known as RF ID to track these high-value assets through a supplychain (e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,774,876, U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,810). In mostcases these RF tags are placed either inside the box containing theasset, or placed outside the box using an adhesive tape or otherattachment means. These tags are read by a mobile reader or in somecases by a fixed reader to identify the product. Moreover, smart radiotags can use features such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) to indicatestatus of the asset; temperature sensors to provide data logs and alarmsif certain temperature parameters are not met; light emitting diodes orLEDs as indicators to make picking and putting the asset optimal; andbuttons and that may be used to detect whether the tag is attached too apackage or enabling human input to the tag. These tags may typically bethe size of the credit card or slightly larger. However several seriousproblems arise when tracking high-value assets that require fullpedigree audits and reliable proof that the medical device (e.g. stent)or other product has not been tampered with, as well as to provide manyother options.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly and generally, the present invention provides integration ofeither entire RFID tags or only antennas thereof into objects, such asproducts (e.g. medical stents, CD's (compact discs), prescriptionmedicine bottles) and receptacles (e.g. containers, packages, boxes,ULD's (unit load devices, as used in air freight), warehouse shelving,and the like) used to hold products.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an object operable forcommunicating wireless radio frequency (RF) signals, the aforesaidobject comprising an antenna integrated (for example, an embeddedferrite loop) therewith.

Preferably, the aforesaid integrated antenna may be embedded into theaforesaid object (e.g. a CD/compact disk; a ULD (Unit Load Device), meattray or other receptacle).

Moreover, the aforesaid integrated antenna should preferably have adimension thereof that is substantially as large as a dimension of saidobject. The use of large antennas is particularly advantageous for lowRF signal frequencies not exceeding 15 megahertz, and preferably notexceeding 1 megahertz. Moreover, the aforesaid integrated antenna maypreferably comprise a loop integrated into the aforesaid object in eachof two substantially orthogonal dimensions thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment, the aforesaid object comprises aproduct (e.g. stent) and an RFID tag attached thereto (e.g. integratedtherewith), the aforesaid RFID tag comprising a transmitter and a tagantenna (preferably much smaller than the integrated antenna) operableto transmit wireless RF signals to the aforesaid integrated antenna.

Preferably, the aforesaid RFID tag is passive and further comprises areceiver, a microprocessor, a data storage device operable to store aselected code (e.g. an ID code to identify said object or said product),the aforesaid tag antenna being operable to receive incoming wireless RFsignals from the integrated antenna and to communicate them to thereceiver, the receiver being operable to communicate them to themicroprocessor, the microprocessor being operable to read the aforesaidselected code (e.g. the aforesaid ID code) from the aforesaid datastorage device in response to a selected set of said incoming wirelessRF signals and to transmit such selected code wirelessly from the tagantenna to the integrated antenna, the integrated antenna being operablethereupon to transmit the aforesaid ID code wirelessly to a fieldantenna, which can communicate with the directly or by satellite to acentral station or the internet.

According to another preferred embodiment, the aforesaid objectcomprises a receptacle and an RFID tag attached thereto (e.g. integratedtherewith), the aforesaid RFID tag comprising a transmitter and a tagantenna operable to transmit wireless RF signals to the aforesaidintegrated antenna.

According to another preferred embodiment, the aforesaid RFID tag isactive and further comprises a microprocessor, a data storage deviceoperable to store a selected code (e.g. an ID code to identify saidobject or said product), the aforesaid object comprising a display fordisplaying the aforesaid selected code upon a signal from the aforesaidmicroprocessor and an energy storage device (e.g. a lithium ionbattery), operable to energize the microprocessor, the display, and thetransmitter.

Preferably, the aforesaid receptacle is operable to hold a product, thereceptacle comprising a sensor operable to generate a signalcharacteristic of a condition (e.g. temperature, jog, etc.) experiencedby the aforesaid product.

Thus, the aforesaid object may comprise a receptacle (e.g. a tray forholding meat), such receptacle being operable to receive and hold aproduct (e.g. a steak, a stent), such product having an RFID tagattached thereto and being operable for communicating the wireless radiosignals (e.g. of a frequency not exceeding 1 MHZ) between said productand the aforesaid integrated antenna in the aforesaid receptacle.

The invention also provides a receptacle comprising:

-   -   a body portion operable to hold a product,    -   an RFID tag attached to the aforesaid body portion, the        aforesaid RFID tag comprising a receiver, a transmitter, and an        antenna, the aforesaid antenna being integrated into a unitary        relationship with the aforesaid body portion.

Preferably, the aforesaid RFID tag is operable to receive and transmitwirelessly at a frequency not exceeding 15 megahertz, with even lowerfrequencies not exceeding 1 megahertz, and even 300 kilohertz) beingespecially desirable for greater signal strength.

Preferably, the aforesaid antenna comprises a loop antenna designed forsuperior strength of signal reception by having dimensions thereofscaled to dimensions of said body portion, and has a dimension thereofthat is substantially as large as to a maximum dimension of saidreceptacle. Moreover, the loop antenna preferably comprises a loopintegrated into the aforesaid receptacle in each of two substantiallyorthogonal dimensions thereof.

Preferably, the aforesaid receptacle comprises a container operable toenclose the aforesaid product, such container further comprising asensor disposed on a surface of the container and operable to generate asealing signal indicating sealing of such container upon shrink-wrappingthereof.

Moreover, the aforesaid receptacle may comprise a container operable toenclose the aforesaid product, the aforesaid RFID tag further comprisinga sensor disposed within such container and operable to generate asignal characteristic of a condition experienced by the product (e.g.temperature, light exposure, weight, humidity, and shock impulse (jog)).Preferably, the aforesaid RFID tag further comprises an indicatorelement for indicating impending expiry of viability of said product, asby providing a signal selected from visible light and audible sound.Such indicator element may comprise colored LED's, a blinking lamp, oran LCD display.

Preferably, the aforesaid receptacle comprises a stackable containerwhich is adapted for stacking upon other stackable containers to exposea surface of said stackable container for visual inspection, suchstackable container further comprising an indicator element disposed onsaid surface and operable for indicating a condition selected from

-   -   a) temperature of said product,    -   b) sealing of said receptacle,    -   c) light exposure within said stackable container,    -   d) weight of said product,    -   e) humidity within said stackable container,    -   f) jog/shock imposed on said container, and    -   g) impending expiry of viability of said product.

According to a preferred embodiment, the aforesaid receptacle maycomprise a pallet, ULD, warehouse shelving unit operable to hold aplurality of containers with integrated antennas or entire RFID tags,each antenna having a dimension thereof that is substantially as largeas a maximum dimension of such pallet, ULD, or warehouse shelving unit.

The invention also provides a method of tracking the conditions ofproducts, each such condition being selected from temperature, productenclosure (shrink-wrapping), light level, product weight, humidity, jog,product age/expiry, and product location (GPS coordinates), theaforesaid method comprising the steps of:

-   -   a) placing each product onto a first receptacle, such first        receptacle being provided with a sensor for an aforesaid        condition and a passive RFID tag operable to emit first wireless        signals that indicate a such condition of said product,    -   b) placing the aforesaid first receptacle into a second        receptacle, such second receptacle being provided with a sensor        for a such condition and an active RFID tag operable to receive        such first signals and to emit second signals, at a wireless        frequency not exceeding 15 megahertz, that indicate an aforesaid        condition of a first or second receptacle,    -   c) detecting signals selected from the aforesaid first signals        and the aforesaid second signals.

The aforesaid method may further comprise the step of:

-   -   e) providing a visual or audible indication of a said condition.

Moreover, the aforesaid first receptacle may comprise a first antennaintegrated therewith. Also, the aforesaid second receptacle maycomprising a second antenna integrated therewith.

The invention further provides a method of tracking the conditions ofproducts, each such condition being selected from temperature, productenclosure (shrink-wrapping), light level, product weight, humidity, jog,product age/expiry, and product location (GPS coordinates), theaforesaid method comprising the steps of:

-   -   a) integrating a passive RFID tag with a product, such passive        RFID tag comprising a product antenna integrated into the        product, such passive RFID tag being operable to emit wireless        RF identification (ID) signals operable to identify the        aforesaid product in response to a wireless RF interrogation        signal;    -   b) placing the aforesaid product onto a first receptacle, such        first receptacle being provided with a sensor for a said        condition and an active RFID tag operable to emit the aforesaid        RF interrogation signal, to receive the aforesaid ID signals,        and to emit first RF signals operable to identify the aforesaid        product and to indicate an aforesaid condition at the aforesaid        first receptacle,    -   c) placing the aforesaid first receptacle into a second        receptacle, the aforesaid second receptacle being provided with        a sensor for an aforesaid condition and an active RFID tag        operable to receive the aforesaid first signals and to emit        second RF signals that indicate an aforesaid condition at one of        the aforesaid first and second receptacles,    -   d) detecting auditable signals selected from the aforesaid first        RF signals and the aforesaid second RF signals    -   e) transmitting auditable signals (e.g. by cable or by high        frequency RF) detected at step (d) to a central station for        auditable recording thereat (e.g. on a write-once-only CD).

This method may preferably further comprise the step of:

-   -   e) providing a visual (e.g. on an LCD display) or audible (e.g.        an alarm bell) indication of a the aforesaid condition.

Preferably, the first receptacle comprises a first antenna integratedtherewith. Also,

The aforesaid second receptacle comprising a second antenna integratedtherewith.

Preferably, the aforesaid first and second RF signals have a frequencynot exceeding 1 megahertz.

The invention further broadly provides a system of tracking theconditions of products, each said condition being selected fromtemperature, product enclosure (shrink-wrapping), light level, productweight, humidity, jog, product age/expiry, and product location (GPScoordinates), the aforesaid system comprising:

-   -   a) a passive RFID tag integrated with an aforesaid product, such        passive RFID tag comprising a product antenna integrated into        said product, such passive RFID tag being operable to emit        wireless RF identification (ID) signals operable to identify the        aforesaid product in response to a wireless RF interrogation        signal;    -   b) a first receptacle operable to hold the aforesaid product,        the aforesaid first receptacle being provided with a sensor for        a said condition and an active RFID tag operable to emit the        aforesaid RF interrogation signal, to receive the aforesaid ID        signals, and to emit first RF signals operable to identify the        aforesaid product and to indicate an aforesaid condition at the        aforesaid first receptacle,    -   c) a second receptacle operable to hold the aforesaid first        receptacle, the aforesaid second receptacle being provided with        a sensor for an aforesaid condition and an active RFID tag        operable to receive the aforesaid first signals and to emit        second RF signals that indicate an aforesaid condition at one of        the aforesaid first and second receptacles,    -   d) a field antenna operable to detect auditable signals selected        from the aforesaid first RF signals and aforesaid second RF        signals    -   e) a transmitter operable to transmit auditable signals (e.g. by        cable or by high frequency RF) detected at step (d) to a central        station (e.g. via a satellite) for auditable recording thereat        (e.g. on a write-once-only CD).

The aforesaid system may further comprise:

-   -   e) an indicator operable to providing a visual (e.g. on an LCD        display) or audible (e.g. an alarm bell) indication of an        aforesaid condition.

Preferably, the aforesaid first receptacle comprises a first antennaintegrated therewith. Also, the aforesaid second receptacle comprises asecond antenna integrated therewith.

Preferably, the aforesaid first receptacle comprises a stackable box,the aforesaid second receptacle being selected from a pallet, a ULD UnitLoad Device), and a warehouse shelving unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a novel receptacle (a Smart Package) withan integrated antenna and RFID tag, in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a novel receptacle with an integratedantenna and active RFID tag and of a novel product (packaged stent) withan integrated antenna and a passive RFID tag.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a novel receptacle with sensors therein.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a novel receptacle in the form of a totewith an integrated antenna and active tag and of a number of smallerreceptacles in the form of product containers with active tagsintegrated therein.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a novel receptacle in the form of a palletwith an integrated antenna and active tag and of a number of smallerreceptacles in the form of product containers with active tagsintegrated therein.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a novel receptacle in the form of a totewith an integrated antenna and active tag and of a number of smallerreceptacles in the form of pill bottles with passive tags integratedtherein.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a warehouse with a number of RF-enabledreceptacles, in the form of boxes having RFID tags integrated therewith,a field antenna for 2-way communication with the boxes, and a warehousebase station and server connected to the loop antenna.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a warehouse with a number of RF-enabledreceptacles, in the form of freight totes having RFID tags and antennasintegrated therewith, a field antenna for 2-way communication with theboxes, and a warehouse server connected to the loop antenna.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of RF-enablement components for usewith a product or receptacle.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an RF-enabled receptacle, showing thedata stored therein, and a remote ASP server and connected Read-Only(write-once-only) CD recorder to create an audit trail shown by the datarecorded therein.

FIG. 11 a is schematic plan view of a CD (compact disc) as a RF-enabledproduct.

FIG. 11 b is a cross-section along A-A of the CD shown in FIG. 11 a.

FIG. 12 a is schematic plan view of a meat tray as a RF-enabledreceptacle.

FIG. 12 b is a cross-section along A-A of the meat tray shown in FIG. 12a. (check this)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the RFID tag isintegrated into, and forms part of the receptacle (e.g. container,package, tote, pallet) itself—to make the package the tag and the tagthe package. In one preferred embodiment the package would be aninjection-molded two-piece plastic box (with a top and a bottom), withelectronics display and light emitting diodes (LED's) on the front ofthe plastic box. The inside of the box may have a light sensor/detectorconnected to the processor to indicate that it has not been opened aswell as to provide history when the box was opened and closed duringmanufacturing. Optional buttons might be placed on the front of thepackage, so that when it becomes shrink wrapped with a plastic vacuumbag the buttons are depressed. Again, this provides a record of when thereceptacle/package was sealed as well as when it was opened and thus anindication that the medical device (e.g. stent) package has not beentampered with until it goes into the patient. The display on the frontof the package can be an alphanumeric display (e.g. LCD or liquidcrystal display) and can be used to indicate the lot number, expirydates, or any other critical information about the product held by thereceptacle that might be useful to an end-user or to a person working inthe warehouse. The LEDs could be used to indicate the product is expiredand should not be used; alternatively, the LED indicators could also beflashed to indicate that this package is the next one to use when placedin a stack on a shelf. Other parameters such as temperature, joghistory, humidity, can also be recorded and display on the LCD.

A great advantage of placing the electronics within the receptacle orpackage itself is the fact that the antenna or antennas can be largerand can be placed at different orientations on the receptacle, therebyincreasing the strength of signal detected by the antenna, especiallyfor lower frequencies of detected RF signal. According to the presentinvention, low frequencies not exceeding 15 megahertz, andadvantageously not exceeding 1 megahertz, are preferred for use withsuch larger integrated antennas . In the case of a box receptacle, forexample, loops of the antenna may be integrated, as by embedding into,the top, a side, and/or the back of the box, and thus a much larger areamay be used for the antenna as compared to a conventional stick-on RFIDtag or credit card size tag.

Advantageously, such a large antenna, which can be integrated into thereceptacle in

multiple orientations, can either a) be part of an RFID tag that isintegrated into an object (a product or a receptacle for holdingproducts) or (b) be a separate signal enhancement antenna (e.g. aferrite loop) which can communicate at a close distance with a separateantenna of an RFID tag that is attached or integrated into the object.

As will be understood, there are many have unexpected advantages ofincorporating an RFID tag or an antenna with an object (either a productsuch as a CD, or a receptacle/package itself), making a design which ismore functional and at lower cost. In most cases these high-value assetsare distributed within a “closed loop” supply chain—a supply chain thatis controlled by a single entity, thereby enabling recycling ofreceptacles or boxes which are integrated with a large separate antennaor with a complete RFID tag. The ability to recycle receptacles/boxes,that have embedded RFID tags which store data (in a memory or datastorage device) about the history of the receptacle and the conditionsit has experienced, is also advantageous since the recycled receptaclescan be used as proof of use and for settlement purposes. It would bepossible to include in the memory (data storage device) of the box thefull pedigree of history of the product's use from the date of itsmanufacture to the name and address of delivery to the finalcustomer/enduser (e.g. hospital patient).

FIG. 1 shows a typical RF-enabled receptacle 2, in the form of a Smartpackage/box, with an antenna 3 embedded into at least one side ofcontainer 2, a (LCD) liquid crystal display 5, two light emitting diodes6, three buttons 7, and optional temperature and humiditysensors/detectors 8, as well as a light sensor/detector 8 placed insideof the box 2. The buttons 7 could be used to indicate that the item hasbeen moved or opened or other purposes requiring human input. Thebuttons 7 also can be designed so that when the box 2 is shrink-wrappedwith plastic film, the buttons 7 are compressed, thereby providing arecordable indication that the package 2 is sealed, which can be used toprove that no one has tampered with this package 2.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for a RF-enabled box 2 and an RF-enabledproduct 1 (e.g. a bagged stent), with its own integrated antenna 3 a andintegrated passive RFID tag 4 a. This box 2 and its tag 4 a is similarto other radio frequency tags; however the printed circuit board andcomponent parts shown in FIG. 9 would be embedded into the plastic caseportion for the box 2. The detector is might be placed inside of thebox, and the loop antenna 3 b shown in the block diagram may be placedon the top bottom or side of the box. It is also possible to place theloop antenna 3 b on all three sides of the box to provide for enhancedand angle resistant communication. One of the major advantages of anRF-enabled product 1, package 2, or other object, over a more standardRFID tag is that the antennas 3 a, 3 b can be much larger, and antenna 3b can be in all three axes. A second advantage of a RF-enabledbox/package 2 over a tag affixed to the exterior of a box is thatsensors 8 may be selectively placed both inside the box 2 and outsidethe box 2. Moreover, an active RFID tag 4 b can be used to interrogatethe passive responder tags 4 a that are integrated into the products 1that are held in box 2.

FIG. 3 shows that another advantage of an RF-enabled (“smart”) box 2over a standard tag is that the layout and positioning of the LCDdisplay 5 and LED's 6 can be optimally configured for storage on ashelf. The boxes 2 may be stout and stackable vertically or in othercases horizontally, and the form factor for thick boxes versus thinboxes etc. may be taken into account. Displays 5, buttons 7 and LED's 6may be placed in the appropriate place for optimal storage and optimaluse depending upon the product to be stored in totes 2 on shelving racksin a warehouse. It is possible to place a field loop antenna (seeantenna 9 in FIGS. 7 and 8) around a set of boxes 2 and communicatewirelessly to all smart boxes contained in such a field loop 9. Thisenables full product audits, inventory tracking, checks of status (i.e.has the box been opened and is-it/has-it-always-been at the correcttemperature etc.) with no human intervention. This makes it possible togenerate a full product pedigree while products are stored in suchRF-enabled boxes 2 either directly on a data storage device of the RFIDtag integrated into the smart box 2 or the data received by antenna 9may be stored on a local write-once-only CD or (via a warehouse webserver 11 satellite and the internet) on a remote write-once-only CD.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show that a number of RF-enabled boxes 2 a (withintegrated antennas 3 a, tags 4 a, LCD displays 5 a, LED's 6 a, andbuttons 7 a) can be placed in/on a larger RF-enabled tote or pallet 2 bwhich can be sealed and placed in the back of a truck equipped with afield antenna system 9 similar to that the described in FIGS. 7, 8. Allboxes 2 a could then be checked by interrogation from tags 4 b oftotes/pallets 2 b and confirmed while being transported, with GPSlocations provided along with current temperature, time as depicted bydata logs in FIG. 10. These data logs would become part of the fullproduct pedigree, and stored both in the smart box 2 as well as on a CD17 connected to an ASP 16.

FIG. 11 a is schematic plan view of a CD (compact disc) as a RF-enabledproduct 1 with an integrated antenna 3 and RFID tag 4 embedded therein,while FIG. 11 b is a cross-section along A-A of the CD shown in FIG. 11a.

FIG 12 a is schematic plan view of a meat tray 2 as a RF-enabledreceptacle with a large embedded antenna 3 (substantially as large asthe two largest dimensions of tray 2) and an embedded RFID tag 4, whichcan alternatively be attached directly to product 1 (a beef steak). FIG.12 b is a cross-section along B-B of the meat tray shown in FIG. 12 a.

While the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments thereof, numerous obvious changes and variationsmay readily be made by persons skilled in the fields of asset trackingand RFID tags. Accordingly, the invention should be understood toinclude all such variations to the full extent embraced by the claims.

1. A combination of a product and a receptacle for receiving theproduct, wherein the product and the receptacle are both operable forcommunicating wireless radio frequency (RF) signal, said productcomprising an antenna integrated therewith, a first RFID tag attachedthereto, said first RFID tag is a passive tag comprising a transmitterand a tag antenna operable to transmit wireless RF signals to saidintegrated antenna, a receiver, a microprocessor, and a data storagedevice operable to store a selected code, wherein said tag antenna isoperable to receive incoming wireless RiF signals from said integratedantenna and to communicate them to said receiver, said receiver isoperable to communicate them to said microprocessor, and saidmicroprocessor is operable to read said selected code from said datastorage device and to transmit said selected code to a display or aremote field antenna, and said receptacle comprising a second RFID tag,said second RFID tag being an active tag in wireless communication withthe first RFID tag to access the selected code stored thereon, andwherein said receptacle comprises a sensor disposed on a surface of saidreceptacle and operable to generate a sealina signal uponshrink-wrapping of the receptacle.
 2. The combination as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the integrated antenna is embedded into said product.3. the combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said integratedantenna has a dimension thereof that is substantially as large as adimension of said product.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 1,wherein said RF signals have a frequency not exceeding 15 megahertz. 5.The combination as set forth in claim 4, wherein said integrated antennacomprises an embedded ferrite loop.
 6. The combination as set forth inclaim 1, further comprising an additional sensor operable to generate asignal characteristic of a condition experienced by a product disposedwithin the receptacle.
 7. The combination as set forth in claim 1,wherein said combination further comprises a display for displaying saidselected code in response to a signal from the second RFID tag.
 8. Thecombination as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first RFID tag isembedded in the product.
 9. The combination as set forth in claim 1,wherein said product is selected from the group consisting of acd/compact disk, a stent, and a pill bottle.
 10. The combination ofclaim 9, wherein said product is a stent and the first RFID tag isintegrated therewith.
 11. The combination as set forth in claim 1,wherein said wireless RF signals have a frequency not exceeding 1 MHZ.12. The combination as set forth in claim 11, wherein said first RFIDtag is operable to receive and transmit wirelessly at a frequency notexceeding 300 kilohertz.
 13. The combination as set forth in claim 1,wherein the receptacle is a stackable container which is adapted forstacking upon other stackable containers to expose a surface of saidstackable container for visual inspection, said stackable containerfurther comprising an indicator element disposed on said surface andoperable for indicating a condition selected from a) temperature of saidproduct, b) sealing of said receptacle, c) light exposure within saidstackable container, d) weight of said product, e) humidity within saidstackable container, f) jog/shock imposed on said container, and g)impending expiry of viability of said product.
 14. The combination asset forth in claim 13, said indicator element being operable to providea signal selected from visible light and audible sound.
 15. Thecombination as set forth in claim 14, wherein said indicator element isan LCD display.
 16. The combination as set forth in claim 14, whereinsaid indicator element is a blinking lamp.
 17. The combination as setforth in claim 12, said second RFID tag further comprising a sensordisposed within said container and operable to generate a signalcharacteristic of a condition experienced by said product.
 18. Thecombination as set forth in claim 17, wherein said condition is selectedfrom the group of conditions consisting of temperature, light exposure,weight, humidity, and shock impulse (jog).
 19. The combination as setforth in claim 17, said second REID tag further comprising an indicatorelement for indicating impending expiry of viability of said product.20. The combination as set forth in claim 19, wherein said indicatorelement is operable to provide a signal selected from visible light andaudible sound.
 21. The combination as set forth in claim 20, saidindicator element being an LCD display.
 22. The combination as set forthin claim 20, said indicator element being a blinking lamp.
 23. Thecombination as set forth in claim 12, said second RFID tag furthercomprising an indicator element for indicating impending expiry ofviability of said product.
 24. A receptacle comprising a body portionoperable to hold a product, an RFID tag attached to the body portion,said RFID tag comprising a receiver a transmitter and an antenna, saidantenna being integrated into a unitary relationship with said bodyportion, a sensor disposed on the surface of the receptacle and operableto generate a sealing signal upon shrink wrapping of the receptacle. 25.The receptacle of claim 24, wherein the RFID tag operates at a frequencynot exceeding 300 kilohertz.
 26. The receptacle of claim 24, furthercomprising an indicator element operable for indicating impending expiryof viability of a product disposed in the receptacle.
 27. The receptacleof claim 24, wherein the receptacle is a stackable container which isadapted for stacking upon other stackable containers to expose a surfaceof said stackable container for visual inspection, said stackablecontainer further comprising an indicator element disposed on saidsurface and operable for indicating a condition selected from a)temperature of said product, b) sealing of said receptacle, c) lightexposure within said stackable container, d) weight of said product, e)humidity within said stackable container, f) jog/shock imposed on saidcontainer, and g) impending expiry of viability of said product.